Hey all, just wanted to start with a big WHAT IS GOING ON IM SO ANGRY to begin this little review of this book. I've only gotten to chapter 5 and I'm furious :). I expected more from the book than this. The hollish have officially lost my respect. The worst part? The rest of Janners family have also lost my respect. Why? Because of the contents of chapter 4 are unacceptable. I don't know how I'll even finish the book after reading this chapter. What Janner's family did after all he's been through was not okay.
First of all, who makes a kid eat as much as they made Janner? Also, why is it okay that they literally laced the last muffin? Seriously, what on earth. They didn't even tell him this would happen. Second of all, they dumped him in the wilderness IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER. You may argue "it's just the ritual of becoming a man. They gave him supplies"
Read my lips. That wasn't okay. No spin you put on it made their actions okay.
"But, Janna, it's just what they do to every durgan gui-"
Don't start. I don't care. There's nothing you can say that will make me okay with this chapter. The fact Janner is only "slightly annoyed" also infuriates me.
"Hey, let's take Janner, a child that has seen the depths of Hades and experienced what no child should, and shatter whatever trust he has left for others! He's already proven himself but since he's used to being traumatized, let's add to it to prove he belongs in the Guild on the edge of war."
And Nia replied, "Wow, what a great idea. Let's keep the horrible tradition passed down in my family :)"
How out of character.
This better be a dream or something because I don't see how I can finish the book after this and I only just started it.
I totally feel bad for Janner, and do not think it's the most ethical thing to do to a person (definitely not, but the Hollowsfolk are pretty harsh in the way they try to teach things). I think that those who permitted it thought it would be a piece of cake for Janner with the experience he's gained already in survival, and so they don't feel the need to prevent the (questionable) custom. (Nor did they know how close war was drawing). Not to say that I support the element of doing it without any warning to Janner and such! (Just a couple of technical details: I think the zonkpowder was cumulative, and the quantity was to sustain him for the few days he was asleep). Things do make more sense later, I believe that people apologize to him, and the Maker actually uses it for some good (trying to avoid spoilers here). It's been a while since I've read that chapter....and I will need to reread it. However, I don't think it is reason to stop reading. Flawed characters and forgiveness is a major theme in this series.